Italy’s youngest-ever F1 world champion invites head of state to Monza after private audience at the Quirinale.Formula 1 world champion Kimi Antonelli presented President Sergio Mattarella with one of his racing helmets during a private audience at the Quirinale Palace in Rome on Friday, and invited him to attend next year’s Italian Grand Prix at Monza.  Antonelli, 20, was accompanied by his family. Wearing a jacket and tie, he gave the president a helmet from this season’s races, inscribed and signed on the visor with the dedication (in Italian): "To President Mattarella, with great admiration".   "This is a gift for you, it’s a helmet from this year," Antonelli told the president.   Mattarella remarked that the helmet must get very hot, saying it must be a relief to take it off. Antonelli agreed, explaining that racing for around an hour and a half in a helmet and a fireproof race suit is far from easy.   Invitation to Monza The young driver then invited the head of state to watch a race next year. “You must come to Monza, it would be nice,” he said. Mattarella, 85, replied: “The idea appeals to me very much."   Il Presidente Mattarella ha incontrato il campione del mondo di Formula 1 Kimi Antonelli https://t.co/ilhbNB2IHX — Quirinale (@Quirinale) November 13, 2026   Andrea Kimi Antonelli was born in Bologna in 2006 and drives for Mercedes. He secured the 2026 drivers’ world championship mathematically at the Mexican Grand Prix, becoming the youngest champion in the history of the sport.   His title ended a 73-year wait for Italy, whose last Formula 1 world champion was Alberto Ascari in 1953.   Antonelli arrived at Bologna’s Guglielmo Marconi Airport on Tuesday evening, where he was welcomed by airport staff, the press and fans.   When he attended the Italy-France Nationas League footmall match on Thursday, he received a standing ovation and the crowd roared his name.   Italian media described the Quirinale audience as the highest institutional recognition of his achievement.   He will now turn his attention to the remaining races of the season, including the upcoming Las Vegas Grand Prix.   Photo Quirinale